Detroit Land Bank to benefit from drug house seizures

Detroit officials say they're taking steps to seize drug houses from their owners, and the Detroit Land Bank is the designated beneficiary.

Mayor Mike Duggan, police Chief James Craig and City Council members Brenda Jones and Andre Spivey announced the program Tuesday, saying that starting this week, police will notify the Detroit Land Bank when they conduct drug raids.

The officials say authorities will verify the identity of the property owners and the land bank will send them a notice by certified mail that a second drug incident will lead to an anti-nuisance lawsuit.

The announcement says the suits will ask for court orders awarding title of the properties to the land bank.

Detroit began filing suit against owners of vacant homes in April to spur them to fix the properties or lose title to them.

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